'S 3503 
R963 
16 

L922 
^opy 1 



BOUND OR FREE 

and 

THE WIZARD 
OF WORDS 

Catherine CT.Sryce 



BOUND OR FREE 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/boundorfreeOObryc 



BOUND OR FREE 

and 

THE WIZARD OF WORDS 



By 
Catherine Turner Bryce V 

Recently Assistant-Professor of Elementary Education 
Yale University 




Boston 

The Atlantic Monthly Press 






4 



COPTHIGHT, 1922, BY 
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY PBESS 



/ 



PBINTBD IN THB UNITBD STATES OP AMERICA 



m. 10 '23 

©C1A706929 (Z^ 






GHARACTEES 

Giant Ignorance, big and powerful, detracts from 
his size and strength by his slouching carirage and his 
ineffective actions. He shuffles his feet, carries one 
shoulder higher than the other, rubs his hands together 
when he speaks. His voice is harsh and loud at times; 
at other times indistinct and hoarse. A lock of hair 
hangs over his forehead. He is dressed Uke a knight, 
but all his garments are in disarray. He should give the 
impression of wrongly directed strength, stupidity, 
craftiness, and slothfulness. 

Fairy Shall-Be, a small girl dressed in fairy costume. 
Around her neck hangs a mirror in a silver frame. 

Heedless, a girl. She shows carelessness in dress and 
manner. Her hair-ribbon is untied, her shoes unfastened, 
her skirt uneven. Her actions are jerky and misdirected; 
her speech inaccurate and indistinct. 

GoNSTANCB, a modern schoolgirl. She is dainty and 
well poised. Her voice is sweet and clear and her artic- 
ulation perfect. 

Knights 



Sir White 


Sir You 


Sir Nest 


Sir Which 


Sir Your 


Sir Desk 


Sir Where 


Sir Our 


Sir Last 


Sir Going 


Sir For 


Sir Can 


Sir Coming 


Sir Yes 
5 


Sir Get 



6 GHARAGTERS 

The knights may wear gilt helmets and long white 
cloaks, faced with different colors and fastened at the 
right shoulder, or they may wear armor made of card- 
board and painted gray or gilt. Each knight should 
have a sword and shield. Each knight's shield bears his 
name clearly printed in the center, as — White, You, 
and so forth. 

NOTE. — If the stage is small the number of knights 
should be reduced. 

Princess Articulation. The Princess is beautiful 
and dressed according to the best fairy-tale princess 
standards. Her movements are graceful and her speech 
is clear and melodious. 



PLACE 

A hall in the castle of Giant Ignorance. In the cen- 
ter rear is a curtained doorway. On either side of the 
doorway the wall is hung with shields — the shields of 
the knights bound by the giant. These shields may 
vary in size and shape but each bears a word as indi- 
cated. 



BOUND OR FREE 

Giant Ignorance {fastening the shield of Sir Get, 
that is J the shield bearing the word Get, to the wall). So! 
hang on my wall with the other shields I have already 
captured and hung there. 

He steps back and slowly scans the row of shields j each 

bearing the name of a knight j rubs his hands, shows 

pleasure, 

A fine array truly! A good night's work! Ho! ho! Sir 

Ignorance, you are a mighty fine fellow! Are you not 

proud of yourseK, you fine fellow? 

As he speaks the last sentence, Fairy Shall-Be 

enters from the side. She advances with flitting 

birdlike movements which may be in time to music 

softly played off stage. She stops directly before 

Giant Ignorance and makes a low mocking 

curtsey. The giant sees no mockery in the fairy^s 

act and tries to make an impressive bow in response. 

His burlesque of the manners of a fine gentleman 

amuses the fairy. She can scarce restrain her 

mirth. 

Fairy Shall-Be. And may I ask why the mighty 

Giant Ignorance is so proud of himseK this fine morning? 

Giant Ignorance. Yes, you may, and this fine fellow 

{tapping himself on the chest) will be pleased to answer. 

{Pointing proudly to the shields on the wall) See these 

shields? 

7 



8 BOUND OR FREE 

Fairy Shall-Be (walking before the row of shields and 
glancing at each). Yes, I see them, and I know the gal- 
lant knights to whom they belong. Why are they hang- 
ing in your hall? 

Giant Ignorance (advancing with a crafty expres- 
sion of face, and speaking as impressively as possible). 
Because I — I alone — have taken all of them! 

Fairy Shall-Be. You! You, have taken the shields 
of all these brave knights! How? 

Giant Ignorance. Ah, you may well ask how! You 
know not how clever I am! But wait until I tell you my 
tale and you will agree with me in pronouncing Giant 
Ignorance a fine fellow — a very fine fellow indeed. 

Fairy Shall-Be. If you know any tale wonderful 
enough to make me so beHeve, pray tell it at once. 

Giant Ignorance. Well, you see, yesterday evening 
as I was looking from my tower, I saw the Princess 
Articulation and fifteen of her knights riding along the 
highway. One glance showed me that the Princess was 
so tired by a long journey she could scarce hold her reins. 
And truth to tell, her knightly guard looked equally in 
need of rest. 

"Here's my chance to win honor," said I. So I has- 
tened to the door and when the Princess came near, I 
went out to meet her, and doffing my cap, and falhng 
on my knees before her — so — 

From this point to the end of his narrative the giant 
dramatizes the story as he tells it. 

And I said, "Fair Lady, you and your knights seem 



BOUND OR FREE 9 

weary. Enter my castle, I pray you, and spend the 
night." 

The Princess sat for a moment in silent thought. I 
knew that her judgment impelled her to ride on, but 
her tired body urged ker to stop. At length she turned 
to her knights and said, '^Surely it will do me no harm 
to remain for one night in the castle of this ^ant, 
especially as I have fifteen gallant knights to protect 
me." 

"No," answered one of the knights, '4t can do you 
no harm to spend the night here." Then he leaned from 
his saddle and whispered into the ear of the Princess; 
but as my ears are large and by no means dull I heard 
him say, "Every one of us shall keep his sword ready 
and his shield in his hand and you know that no one 
can overcome us, except he miscall our names written, 
on our shields. This stupid giant never can guess the 
only way to disarm us. Stay and rest, dear Princess, and 
be assm-ed that no evil can befall you." 

So after more talk in which all the tired knights urged 
her to rest, — for their own sakes as well as hers, mark 
you, — the Princess reached forth her hand and said, 
"Thank you. Sir Giant, we will abide in your house 
this night." 

Then I arose, and helped her dismount and led her 
up the stairs and through this hall and into the banquet- 
ing room beyond (pointing to curtained doorway) y and 
her fifteen knights followed us. 

I gave them to eat and to drink, but they knew not 



10 BOUND OR FREE 

that a sleeping potion had been put into each cup, and 
soon their senses were fast bound by the chains of sleep. 
Then I brought forth my black chains — the black 
chains of Giant Ignorance — and bound the feet of each 
knight. The Princess I bound not, for alone she can do 
me no harm, and besides, into her cup I put the strongest 
potion. 

At this point in his story ^ the giant shuffles close to 
the fairy. During the telling she has shown in face 
and by gestures her disgust at the gianVs craft and 
breach of hospitality. But he has been too absorbed 
in his narrative to notice this. As he advances 
toward her, she starts to draw bach, then recovers 
herself and stands silent before him. 
Giant Ignorance. Would you hke to look upon the 
sleeping Princess and her brave guard? 
Fairy Shall-Bb. Yes, oh yes! 

The giant advances to the doorway in the center of 
stage and beckons her to approach. She flits to his 
side. 
Giant Ignorance {cautiously drawing curtains 
aside). Look! 

When the curtains are pushed aside the Princess is 
seen reclining on a raised couch at the center and 
rear of the opening. A light hangs over the couch. 
The knights are sitting around a long table or 
board set on trestles on which are some goblets or 
cups. Some of the knights rest with heads on the 
table, others sleep with heads on the shoulders of 



BOUND on FREE 11 

their comrades. Each knight has a black chain 

about his feet and each has his hand upon his 

sword. The black chains, and the gray chains 

spoken of later, may be made of paper just as 

the kindergarten children make chains. They 

can easily be broken at the right time. 

Giant Ignorance (pointing). See my chains! No 

strength can break them. Look, the knights still hold 

their swords; I know not how they may be taken. (He 

draws the curtains and points to the shields,) But the 

shields, see I have them all. As soon as they were bound 

by my black chains, I walked up to each knight and 

touched his shield so, and mispronounced his name thus. 

As he speaks, the giant touches the words on the shields, 

placing his finger on the letter or letters omitted or 

miscalled, as on the h in White, Which, Where; 

the final g in Going and Coming; the u in You 

and Your; the o in For; the s in Yes; the t in 

Nest and Last; the k in Desk; the a in Can; 

the E in Get. 

Giant Ignorance (reading names), Wite, W'ich, 

Were, Goin', Comin', Yuh, Yourn, Ourn, Fur, Yeh, 

Nes^ Dest, Las', Kin, Git. 

Fairy Shall-Be. Yes, I understand. What happened 
next? 

Giant Ignorance (laughing boisterously). Ho! Ho! 
Ho! It was too easy. Then, dear Fairy, each knight 
dropped his shield, and I gathered them all as spoils of 



12 BOUND OR FREE 

war to hang upon my wall there! Say, good Fairy, am I 
not a clever knight and brave? 

Faiey Shall-Be (scornfully), A brave knight! No! 
No! No! A brave knight meets his foe face to face and 
sword to sword in the daylight. Only a coward drugs, 
and binds, and disarms a helpless foe in the dark. A 
brave knight conquers with his sword; only a dastard 
vanquishes another by an ill-spoken word! 

A clever knight! No! No! No! A clever knight wins 
by using his own intellect — not by stealing away the 
wit of his opponent. A clever knight measures his skill 
against the sagacity of his antagonist. You have won 
by craft and guile, not by wisdom. You are a cunning 
coward! 

Giant Ignorance {cringing under the words of the 
fairy). But, good Fairy, you don't understand! You — 
Fairy Shall-Be. But I do understand. From your 
own Ups I know what happened as though I saw it with 
my own eyes. And as you have told me what has been, 
I will now look into the mirror of the future and tell 
you what still shall be. 

The fairy holds the mirror before her face and gazes 
upon it. The giant makes stealthy advances as 
though trying to see the images in the glass. From 
time to time the fairy waves him back. Her eyes^ 
however J never leave the mirror. During the study 
of the mirror soft music may be played off stage. 
Fairy Shall-Be {facing the giant and holding the 
mirror extended, back toward him). Ah, as I thought, the 



BOUND OR FREE 13 

future shall once more avenge the wrongs of the past. 
Listen well, Sir Giant Ignorance! You have conquered 
these knights by miscalHng their names upon their 
shields. The knights shall remain in your power and 
the shields in your possession until one comes who reads 
the names aright. 

Giant Ignorance. Ho! Ho! Ho! I like what you 
see in the future as much as what I have myseK seen 
in the past. Do you think I will allow anyone to come 
into this hall and read the names on the shields? Not 
likely! Here the shields shall stay, for here I shall stay 
to guard them; and there the knights shall stay forever 
and forever. 

Fairy Shall-Be. No, not so. You forget you can 
keep no mortal from these halls; and remember, you 
must answer truthfully all questions asked you by a 
mortal. I look again into the m^irror of the future and 
I see a mortal — a maiden — standing before the shields 
and reading every word written upon them correctly 
and distinctly, and as she reads, the knights come forth 
to take again their shields. 

Giant Ignorance {cowering before the fairy). Look 
again, and tell me when this shall be. 

Fairy Shall-Be (sadly). That I cannot say. Not 
yet, however, not yet (the giant looks relieved), but the 
time is surely coming. Mark well my words. 

The fairy flits from the stage, to accompaniment of soft 
music. The giant watches her out of sight, sighs, 
looks unhappy for a moment, then performs some 



14 BOUND OR FREE 

uncouth antics expressive of satisfaction as — 
leaping, capering, dancing, turning somersault. 
GLA.NT Ignorance {shaking fist at the shields), ^^Not 
yet, however, not yet!" You are still mine, and your 
owners and their Princess are still in my power. 

(Half chanting as he sways his body) 

You are mine and they are mine, 
And to-day, to-day is mine. 

(A voice is heard singing off stage) 

To-day, to-day is mine! 

Giant Ignorance. What^s that! Who joins in my 
song? 

Heedless (rushing in at side of stage. She has some 
flowers in her hands which she drops on the floor as she 
speaks). Hello, Mr. Giant. Why are you so set up 
because to-day, this day is yourn? Say, look at the 
pretty shields! Where did yuh get them? 

As Heedless speaks she is in constant motion, some- 
times at one side of the giant, sometimes at the other 
side. He keeps turning about like a huge top in 
order to watch her. 
Giant Ignorance (proudly). Those are shields I 
took from fifteen knights. 
Heedless. Yuh did! Were are the knights now? 
Giant Ignorance. They are my prisoners. 
Heedless. Kin yuh keep them prisn'rs furever? 
Giant Ignorance. No, only until somebody reads 
the names on the shields correctly. 



BOUND OR FREE 15 

Heedless. Oh, is that all! Well 1^11 set them free 
in a jiffy. Jest watch me. 

The giant tries to prevent her but she eludes him and 
stepping from shield to shield, pointing her finger 
at each name, she reads, 
W^ite, W^ich, Were, Goin^ Comin', Yuh, Yourn, 
Ourn, Fm", Yeh, Nes', Dest, Las', Kin, Git. 

(Running to the giant and seizing his hand) 
Now, show me the knights and let them thank me 
for setting them free. 

The giant leads her slowly to the curtain and draws it 
aside. The tableau is the same as seen by the fairy, 
except that in addition to the black chain of Igno- 
rance, each knight now has a gray chain about his 
neck. As the giant and Heedless gaze on the 
knights and the Princess, the fairy appears and 
stands beside Heedless. 
Heedless. Say, they're not free! Why not? 
Fairy Shall-Be. No, they are not free. In fact, each 
knight now wears another chain — the gray chain of 
Heedless. 

Heedless. I'm Heedless. Why do you call the chain 
by my name? W'at have I to do with any gray chain? 
I did n't put it on them. 

While Heedless speaks, the giant draws the curtains. 

Fairy Shall-Be. Yes, you did. Had you pronounced 

the names on the shields correctly you would have 

broken the black chain of Ignorance that binds the 

knights and set them and the Princess free from the 



16 BOUND OR FREE 

spell that holds them prisoners. By mispronouncing 
the names on the shields you have added the gray 
chain of Heedless to their fetters and bound them 
more securely in the power of Giant Ignorance. 

During the fairy^s speech, the giant shows many 
uncouth signs of joy and satisfaction. 
Heedless. Say, good Fairy, I did n't mean to do any 
harm. I'm sorry that I could n't set the knights free. 
I'm more sorry that I put that gray chain on them. I 
wish I could do something to help. Oh, I know what I 
can do! My friend Constance is just outside. She and 
I were gathering flowers together. Constance always 
speaks clearly and distinctly. Wait, I'll call her to come 
and read the names on the shields correctly. 

She rushes from the halL Her voice is heard without 

calling Constance, and Constance's sweet voice 

is heard answering. While Heedless is gone, 

Giant Ignorance approaches the exit through 

which she has left, and extends his arms as if to 

bar her reentrance. 

Fairy Shall-Be {waving him back to center of stage). 

Stand back, Sir Ignorance. You know you cannot stay 

the progress of mortals who really wish to advance. 

Enter Heedless followed by Constance. 
Heedless (pointing). There are the shields of fifteen 
captive knights. Read the names on them correctly, 
Constance, and you wiU set the knights free from the 
black chains of Ignorance and the gray chains of Heed- 
less. 



BOUND OR FREE 17 

Constance (looking at giant, then at fairy). Is it true, 
beautiful Fairy? Will the correct reading of the words 
on these shields really set free fifteen good knights? 
Fairy Shall-Be. It is true, my child. 
Constance {stepping from shield to shield, points to 
each and ^clearly and correctly pronounces each word). 
White, Which, When, Going, Coming, You, Your, Our, 
For, Yes, Nest, Desk, Last, Can, Get, 

As Constance pronounces each word, a knight comes 

through the curtained doorway. Each carries in his 

hand two broken chains — a black chain and a gray 

chain. Each knight advances and stands beneath 

his shield. 

Fairy Shall-Be (taking Constance by the hand and 

leading her to center of stage). Behold the maiden who 

broke your bonds. Salute her. Sir Knights. 

Each knight draws his sword in salute. 
Heedless. Oh, how wonderful! I'm tired of being 
Heedless. I wish I were Uke Constance! 

Fairy Shall-Be. You may be like Constance. Here, 
take my magic mirror. Go away and think clearly just 
how you wish to appear in the future. As you think, 
look into the wonderful mirror and you will see yourself 
grow like the girl you plan to be. Go, the spell cannot 
fail, for you look into the true mirror of Shall-Be, 

Exit Heedless with mirror. 

Constance (curtseying to knights). You do me too 

much honor. Sir Knights. It was a very simple thing I 

did — just to pronounce correctly some common words 



18 BOUND OR FREE 

in my mother tongue. Take down your shields, I pray 
you. 

Fairy Shall-Be. Hold! Before you may recover 
your shields you must break every link in the chains of 
Heedless and of Ignorance, which you hold in your 
hands — the gray ones first, the black ones next. 

Keeping time to the music of cymbals and drums off 
stage, the knights snap each link, throwing the bits 
at the feet of Giant Ignorance who stands, awk- 
ward and quaking with fear, near the fairy. 
As they finish. Heedless returns. Her dress has 
been neatly arranged and she carries herself with 
assurance and poise. She returns the mirror to 
the fairy. 
Fairy Shall-Be. Ah, you have indeed studied the 
mirror to good effect. No longer shall you be called 
Heedless. (Looking into mirror) My magic mirror tells 
me that your new name shall be Careful — for more 
and more careful in appearance and in speech you shall 
grow. 

Now, Sir Knights, take down your shields. 

The knights obey. 
Constance (looking closely at the different shields). 
I think wherever a letter has been omitted or mispro- 
nounced, there is a blurred spot on the shields. Come, 
Heedless — I mean Careful — we will help the knights 
polish their shields. 

Constance and Heedless flit from knight to knight, 
rubbing the surface of the shields. Some skillful 



BOUND OR FREE 19 

pantomime will make the scene interesting, as — 

pointing to a supposed blemish, rubbing it, holding 

• a shield aloft with nods of approval or looks of 

doubt. 

Giant Ignorance. Fairy Shall-Be, I don't like my 

name; I am ashamed of my acts. Can you not change 

me as you changed Heedless? 

Fairy Shall-Be. I did not change Heedless. She 
changed herself, and you may change yourseK. What 
do you wish to become? 

Giant Ignorance. I wish to look wise; I wish to be 
wise; I wish to serve the beautiful Princess Articulation, 
not to oppose her. 

Fairy Shall-Be. Here, take my magic mirror. Go 
off by yourseK and think clearly the picture of the man 
you wish to be and as you plan, so shall you be. 

Exit the giant with mirror. 
Fairy Shall-Be. Are the shields all polished? 
Constance. Yes, dear Fairy. Just see how bright 
they are. 

The knights hold up their shields for her inspection. 
Fairy Shall-Be. Good! And now attention for a 
moment. Sir Knights. 

The knights stand at attention, each bearing his 
recovered shield. 
Fairy Shall-Be. For many years the Princess Artic- 
ulation has trained you in her service. All that you 
are, you owe to her. Last night she trusted you, fifteen 
brave knights as she supposed, to guard her against the 



20 BOUND OR FREE 

dangers of Ignorance. How have you justified her 
trust? 

The knights look at one another and murmur indis- 
tinctly. 

Fairy Shall-Be. Oh yes, I know the excuses you 
would offer. — You were tired? A true knight forgets 
weariness when he is placed on guard. — You were 
betrayed by a word? Had you been on the alert, that 
word had not been spoken. 

How will the Princess feel if she hears that the shields 
of fifteen of her chosen knights have decorated the halls 
of Ignorance for a day? What will she say if she learns 
that her knights have been bound in the chains of 
Ignorance and of Heedless? 

The knights look uncomfortable^ hang their heads and 
sigh. 

Sir Knights, I care not to upbraid you for the past. 
I but wish to arm you for the future. If you promise to 
keep faith with Princess Articulation in the days to 
come, I promise you that the Princess shall never know 
of all that has taken place within these walls. I promise 
further that no harm shall come of this adventure, but 
great good. If you promise, answer together. 

Knights (earnestly). We promise! 

Fairy Shall-Be. Then when the Princess awakes 
you shall escort her from here as from a castle in which 
she has enjoyed a night of rest and refreshment. She 
shall never know that she has been held prisoner while 



BOUND OR FREE 21 

her trusted knights were betrayed by Ignorance and 
bound by Heedless. 

Enter the giant j clad as a proper knight. His carriage 
is erecty his head proudly held, his step firm. As 
far as possible, he shows a contrast to his earlier 
personality. All stare at him in wonder. 
Heedless. Can this be Giant Ignorance? 
Faiey Shall-Be {taking the mirror from the gianVs 
hand and glancing at it). No, he who stands before us is 
greater than his old self. My mirror says that in future 
he shall be known to all men as Giant Learning, for more 
and more shall he learn to serve all that is fair and true. 
Heedless {taking the giant by the hand). Let us both 
serve faithfully that we may undo the wrongs of Igno- 
rance and Heedless. 

Giant {earnestly). We will. 
During the speech of Heedless and the Glant, 
Constance passes through the curtained doorway. 
She now returns and stands before the curtains. 
Constance. The Princess is awake and ready to 
resume her journey. 

At a signal from their leader. Sir White, the knights 
spring forward and form a row on either side of 
the doorway. Constance and Heedless retire 
behind the curtains. The leader of the knights gives 
the word, and with their swords the knights form an 
arch. 
The fairy and the giant stand to one side of the arch 
near the front; the leader of the knights stands 



22 BOUND OR FREE 

opposite the giant. The fairy looks at the knights 
for a moment and holds her mirror before them. 
Then she holds it before the giant. 
Fairy Shall-Be (to the knights). Remember your 
promise. {To the giant) Remember the picture you saw in 
my mirror, and as you remember, so shall all things be. 
Exit Fairy Shall-Be to slow music. The music 
quickenSj the curtains are drawn asidcj and Prin- 
cess Articulation, followed by Constance and 
Heedless, passes under the arch of swords. 
Princess Articulation. Oh, I have had such a 
dream! I dreamed that I and all my men were bound 
in black fetters by the Giant Ignorance, aided by a 
maiden called Heedless. What a joy it is to awaken and 
find myself attended by these two neat maidens, to see 
my own faithful knights still on guard, to discover that 
in place of uncouth Ignorance, kindly Learning is my 
host. 

She extends her hand to the giant. He bows low over it. 
Giant. Not only your host, but another faithful and 
devoted knight, if you will accept my services. 

Princess Articulation. I do most gratefully accept 
your services. For well I know that when Giant Learn- 
ing and Princess Articulation work together, men may 
speak freely and clearly without fear of misunderstand- 
ing, and the day will be hastened when all in this land 
are united in a common bond of Speech — a common 
bond of brotherhood. 

Curtain 



THE WIZARD OF WORDS 



CHARACTERS 

The Wizakd of Words. The wizard is a tall man 
dressed in a blue robe with a border of gilt circles. The 
letters of the alphabet cut from gilt paper are scattered 
over the robe. His hat may be long and pointed or he 
may wear a college cap. He is most dignified in his 
carriage and speaks clearly and distinctly. 

Hoots. Hoots is an old man. He is short, and stoops 
over a cane as he walks. He wears a smock over short 
trousers. His eyes are hidden behind large smoked 
glasses. His hair hangs to his shoulders. (A wig made 
of raveled rope may be used.) 

When the curtain is raised the wizard is seen seated 
in his chair. He has three scrolls in his hand. 



25 



PLACE 

The room of the wizard. In the center of the 
room is a high desk, or pedestal, on which rests a great 
book. The book is boimd in dark blue decorated with 
gilt stars, crescents, and globes. (A large dictionary cov- 
ered with blue and decorated with gilt silhouettes will 
serve.) If the room can be fiu'nished with a large globe, 
an hourglass and some mysterious charts fastened to 
the wall it will add to the effectiveness of the picture. 
A stool or old-fashioned chair stands to one side of the 
table. 



26 



THE WIZARD OF WORDS 

WizAKD (unrolling a scroll). From the young king! 
He asks me to send him some suitable words to use in 
his coronation address. Ah, I know just what he wants, 
and I know just where to get the words that will serve 
most admirably. 

He rises f places the two remaining scrolls on his chair 

and with the king^s scroll in his hand walks over 

to the book. 

Here in my great book I have all the words used in 

the world. For the king's speech I shall choose words of 

sincerity, kindUness, loyalty, truth. 

He opens the book and takes from it a large purple 
envelope bound about by a gold cord. 
Here are the words for the king's address, fittingly set 
in royal purple and pure gold. 

He places the envelope beside the book, returns 

to his chair J seats himself and opens the second 

scroll. 

A request from a man about to consecrate himself 

to the ministry. Such an one must have a pure heart; 

he must Hve at peace with all men. 

He rises, walks to the book, opens it, and draws forth 
a white envelope bound with silver cords. 
Here are the words for our yoimg clergyman — white 
purity and silver peace. 

He places this envelope by the one selected for the 

27 



28 THE WIZARD OF WORDS 

king, then returns to his chair and opens the last 

scroll. 

From the general of the army. He writes, *'Give me 

words to arouse my men, to inspire them, that with 

loyal corn-age they may go forth to defend their 

country." 

Again he goes to his book and opens it. 
Let me see! The general must first convince his men 
of the absolute right of their cause, so I shall select some 
words of pure justice. 

Takes a white envelope from the hook. 
Next he must appeal to their loyalty. 

Takes a blue envelope from the book. 
And, finally, there must be words to fire the men to 
heroic deeds, and alas! this means the shedding of brave, 
red blood. 

Takes a red envelope from the book. Holds up all 
three envelopes. 
For the warrior, the red words of courage, the white 
words of right, and the blue words of loyalty. 

Lays his hand on the book. 
Ah, words, words, words I Through you man expresses 
all his thoughts, feelings, and emotions; by you he may 
be aroused to all action — good or evil. How great the 
need then to select carefully the words that so lightly 
pass our Kps! 

Gathers together all the envelopes. 
Now I have the best words selected for the king, the 



THE WIZARD OF WORDS 29 

young clergyman and the general. I must look for a 
messenger to carry the package to them. 

He goes to the exit and looks out. 

Not a soul in sight. Ah! there is old Hoots just turn- 
ing into the street. I wish I could find a younger, 
stronger messenger. But, there is no great haste in the 
matter; and, if age travels slowly, it travels surely. I'll 
entrust my precious packages of words to the old man. 
(Calls aloud) Hoots, Hoots! Oh, Hoots! 

Enter Hoots, 

WizAED. Will you carry some packages of words for 
me, Hoots? If you will, I'll give you a silver penny. 

Hoots. Aye, will I. Who do you want me to carry 
them to? 

Wizard. Whonij Hoots, not who. This purple and 
gold package is to be carried to the king. 

Hoots (hand behind ear). To who? To who? 

Wizard. You should say to whoniy not to who. The 
purple and gold package is for the king. Do you under- 
stand? 

Hoots. Aye, I understand. 

Wizard. The white and silver package is to be given 
to the young clergyman. 

Hoots. To who? To who? 

Wizard. Did you not hear me tell you to say to whom 
and not to who? 

Hoots. Aye, I heard you. 

Wizard. Then see that you use the right word when 
next you speak. How can I trust you to carry the 



30 THE WIZARD OF WORDS 

words I have so carefully selected for others, if you select 
not the right word yourself! 

You are an old man, and the old should be models 
for the young. Suppose the children heard you say who 
for whom and copied your incorrect speech! 

Look to your words, man! They are powerful for 
good or ill. (While the wizard is talking Hoots slowly 
nods his head.) 

Wizard. Now, you remember, you are to carry the 
purple and gold package to the king and the white and 
silver package to — 

Hoots. To who? To who? 

Wizard (stamping his foot in anger), I have taught 
you the right word: I have told you why you should use 
it. Now I warn you, if you use the wrong word once 
more, I shall punish you. Do you understand? You 
must say to whom, not to who. 

Hoots. Yes, yes, I hear what you say. 

Wizard. The red, white, and blue packages are to 
be carried to the general. 

Hoots. To who? To who? 

Wizard. Oh, stupid and obstinate one! You will not 
use the right word, though you know it well, either for 
your own sake or for the benefit of those who must 
listen to you. Therefore on your own stubborn spirit 
rests the responsibility of your just punishment! 

While Hoots mumbles and looks half fearful and 
half defiant, the wizard seizes his wand from the 
table beside his book. 



THE WIZARD OF WORDS 31 

WizAKD (waving his wand). Darkness, descend and 
hide this obdurate mortal from all eyes, while I work 
my magic spell upon him. 

All lights are turned out, leaving the stage in total 
darkness. Weird music sounds off stage — drums 
and cymbals clashing. This lasts long enough to 
enable Hoots to leave the stage and to place on the 
book a stuffed owl. If a spotlight is available it 
is turned on the owl and the wizard standing beside 
it with his wand upraised. This tableau lasts for 
a moment^ then all stage lights are turned on grad- 
ually. 
The lights should be so managed that varying shad- 
ows and lights thrown on the owl will give it a 
lifelike appearance. So too, later, when the wizard 
holds the owl, slow movement of his hand may 
cause the appearance of movermnt in the bird. 
Wizard {addressing the owl) , A man is one who thinks, 
who strives, who grows. You are not worthy to be a 
man, so I have changed you to the form you now wear. 
Because you refused to select and to use the correct 
word as I taught it to you, you shall forget all the speech 
of man but the incorrect form you insisted upon using — 
to who! to who! 

From behind the scenes — just back of the owl — a 

voice echoes ^Ho who! to who!*' 

Wizard {taking the owl from the book and holding it in 

his hand, back to the audience). And that you may be 

powerless to corrupt the speech of the children by re- 



32 THE WIZAED OF WORDS 

peating your incorrect language in their ears, you shall 
hide away in the daytime and fly abroad only at night, 
after the children's ears have been fast locked by the 
Sleep Fairies. And I shall choose a more worthy mes- 
senger to carry the gift of correct, carefully selected 
words to mankind. 

Curtain 



